New York City Things To Do in December

Forget 5th Avenue shopping during December. It is all about a holiday market. By December 1st, tiny villages of shops, food, hot cocoa and cider pop up around the city as a one stop shop for holiday cheer, gift giving and entertainment.

The market with the mostest - The Winter Village at Bryant Park. It has everything for holiday cheer no matter your age. Ice skating rink and bumper cars for the kids, a bar for the adults, and cozy igloo’s with heaters and treats for family and friends to take refuge from the cold and crowds. Each year, the market has something new to discover. This year, Instagrammable food is the rage: Toastieland Rainbow Grill Cheese, dipped and sprinkled Wonderen Stroopwafels and a long line for ginormous s’more and cocoa at S’mores N’More.

Traveling through the city via Subway, you’re bound to pass through Grand Central Station. Killing time waiting for the train, hop over to Vanderbilt Hall. Right off the main concourse, the perfect photo backdrop marks the entrance to this low key fair.  Walk through the holiday arch for a curated group of local makers on one side of the hall. On the other, take a seat at the custom wood crafted bar of City Winery. Grab a glass of wine, a bit to eat or take something home as the perfect gift for any hostess.

Find yourself walking through Central Park and wondering what to do next? Exit the park at 77th on the west side for 220+ indoor/outdoor shops at the Grand Holiday Bazaar. If your goal is to check off your gift list, come here on one of the first three Sundays in December (3, 10, 17). After completing the gift list (or making a dent), wander over for more shopping in the neighborhood or the original location of Levain’s Bakery for hot coffee and a treat.  

Need another reason to cross the East River and explore Brooklyn? Grab the F train and head over to Dumbo. Aside from the iconic bridge pic for your social media, FAD has two locations for their Holiday Pop-up. All shops are indoors for warm cozy perusing.
 
Outdoors and bringing festive vibes, Union Square Holiday Market is Bryant Park Winter Village lite. Same cute village huts radiate out from the square. You’ll find some of the same vendors and guaranteed a cup of hot cocoa or cider, just more digestible with less crowds. Unique items like blooming teas, tea potions, art and NYC only items like No Chewing Allowed’ chocolates are waiting.